Posted November 6, 2017
The Magi
In me it was made flesh, was revealed in song with grace,
and came to many, and in them found its own space.
~ Karol Wojtyla, "Embraced by new time," translated by Jerzy Peterkiewicz
The first people who visited Mary and Joseph in their temporary lodgings were ordinary enough folks. Shepherds, though on the lowest social tier, were common in the area.
The next people were far above the Nazarene family's social status. Their clothes, though made for travel, were woven with bright colors and patterns; they were accompanied by servants; and their beasts of burden were heavily laden with goods. They did not look like Jews, at least not from any nearby region.
Trying not to appear bewildered, Joseph stepped out of the stable and addressed the men. "Can I be of some service, sirs?" He rather doubted that he could. Whatever they wanted was probably beyond his means to provide.
But the men looked at him with sincerity, appreciation, and … hope. It was the same calm, confident look Joseph had often seen in Mary, and in other acquaintances, like Simeon and Anna in the temple.
One of the travelers on camelback dismounted and introduced himself and his companions. "We are scholars from the East. I am Melchior; my companions are Gaspar and Balthazar."
Gaspar explained, "We have seen signs that signify the birth of a new king, as foretold generations ago. We have traveled these past two years hoping to find him and do him homage. Our search has led us here."
Something about their words struck Joseph: as incredible as they sounded, he believed them, and felt it right to allow the scholars to fulfill their quest.
"Welcome," he said. "I am Joseph of Nazareth. You have come to the right place. The child you seek is here.
Gaspar and Balthazar dismounted and handed their camels' reins to their servants. The three scholars followed Joseph into the cave that formed a stable.
Along with the livestock, Mary sat on the straw inside, bouncing Jesus on her lap. He was almost two years old, healthy and grown enough to walk. He and Mary looked up at the visitors with a strange mixture of knowledge and curiosity.
Joseph gestured for the visitors to approach. "This is Mary. The Child is named Jesus."
For several moments the Magi looked in awe. They dropped to their knees in reverence, but could hardly take their eyes off the infant.
Balthazar looked up at Joseph. "Are you His father?"
Joseph had to think before answering, so as not to lie or mislead them. "Not by blood. I've been charged with protecting Him and His Mother." Even after living with this responsibility for more than two years, it was an overwhelming prospect when he thought too much about all that it entailed. He usually coped with it by thinking of them simply as his own family, the people he would have been responsible for even if Jesus had been born from his union with Mary.
The Magi only left the cave long enough to confer with their servants and carry some of their possessions into the cave. They knelt closer to Mary and Jesus now, and opened their packs. "Please, accept these gifts." They pulled out beautifully decorated canisters of incense.
Mary wanted to give her Child every possible boon, but the two peasants both felt overwhelmed and embarrassed to be charged with such luxuries. "It is too much."
Melchior's eyes twinkled with tears. "Too much for the Lord, God Almighty? No; it is not nearly enough for Him. He has given us all that we have; it is only fitting to offer it back to Him."
The parents bowed their heads in humble acceptance. "Thank you," Joseph said. We will always remember this." They were not sure how much or how little Jesus would know, whether He had any part of His Father's omniscience. If He did not know or remember the Magi, they would tell him of the honor and kindness they showed Him.
Author's Note: Next month I will be playing Mary in a Christmas play inspired by the medieval plays that depicted Bible stories happening in contemporary times. The director and I have had great conversations about how Mary and Joseph must have felt as these events transpired. Please pray for our cast and for the troupe's work in spreading the gospel!
